Histopathology - Upper GI disease Flashcards
What is the “Z line” in the GI tract?
Normal appearance of squamo-columnar junction (epithelium transitions from squamous to columnar)
Z line in the oesophagus is the term for a faint zig-zag impression at the gastro-oesophageal junction that demarcates the transition between the stratified squamous epithelium in the oesophagus and the intestinal epithelium of the gastric cardia (the squamocolumnar junction)
Where is the cardia portion of the stomach?
Junction between oesophagus and stomach
What are the 3 layers of the stomach wall?
Gastric mucosa (columnar) Lamina propria (containing glands) Muscularis mucosa
In a normal duodenum, what is the villous:crypt ratio?
3:1
Where are goblet cells usually found?
Intestine
(NOT in stomach)
What is the most common cause of acute oesophagitis?
GORD
If reflux oesophagitis causes a perforation of the oesophagus, what will be the result?
Mediastinitis
What are the 4 most common complications to remember of most GI pathologies?
Ulceration
Haemorrhage
Perforation
Stricture
What is gastric metaplasia?
type of CLO without goblet cels
Metaplastic change in oesophagus WITHOUT goblet cells
What is intestinal type metaplasia?
type of CLO with goblet cells
Replacement of squamous epithelium with metaplastic columnar epithelium WITH goblet cells present
higher cancer risk in this type
What is the most common sequence of pathological progression to cancer in the upper GIT?
Metaplasia –> dysplasia –> Cancer
What is the most common type of oesophageal cancel?
Adenocarcinoma
Where does adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus usually develop?
bottom 1/3 of oesophagus
Which type of oesophageal cancer is most strongly associated with GORD & Barrett’s?
Adenocarcinoma
What is the most common type of oesophageal cancer in developing coutries?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which type of oesophageal cancer is most associated with smoking and alcohol?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Where in the oesophagus does squamous cell carcinoma tend to present?
upper 2/3 of oesophagus
Why is prognosis for oesophageal carcinoma particularly poor?
Most patients are not suitable for resection surgery
What other condition are oesophageal varices particularly associated with?
Portal vein stenosis/hypertenion
What are the 3 main causes of acute gastritis?
Aspirin/NSAIDs
Alcohol
H pylori
What are the 4 major causes of chronic gastritis? Where do they affect in stomach
ABCDs of chronic gastritis
Autoimmune (antiparietal cell antibodies affects body)
Bacterial (H pylori, affects antrum)
Chemical (NSAIDs, bile reflux, affects antrum)
D = IBD
Which types of neoplasm is H pylori associated with?
Adenocarcinoma
Lymphoma (MALToma)
How do some H pylori inject toxin into the mucosa?
Via cag A needle appendage (Cad A +ve h pylori have this)
(as they can’t directly invade epithelium)
Which strain of H pylori is associated with more aggressive chronic gastritis?
cag-A positive